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United States Patent |
5,755,763
|
Farfel
|
May 26, 1998
|
Pacemaker connector with sealable access openings and methods for its use
Abstract
A pacemaker lead is disclosed of the type comprising a flexible cord formed
of at least one spiralled electric conductor and surrounded by a sheath of
insulating material and connected, at a proximal end of the lead, to a
connection head removable from the pacemaker and, at a distal end, to a
stimulation electrode device, where the lead is characterized by the
addition of at least one opening in the sheath in the connection head that
allows electrical conductive access to the spiralled conductor between the
proximal and distal ends of the lead and where said opening has an
associated removable closing means and where the opening is designed to be
matable to an external distal lead end to make electrical contact with the
conductor and to make the external lead maintain electrical contact during
pacemaker implantation and replacement.
Inventors:
|
Farfel; Bernard (5521 Shadowcrest, Houston, TX 77096)
|
Appl. No.:
|
687107 |
Filed:
|
July 22, 1996 |
Current U.S. Class: |
607/122; 607/9; 607/10; 607/27; 607/119 |
Intern'l Class: |
A61N 001/05; A61N 001/372 |
Field of Search: |
607/9,10,119,122,126,27
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3903896 | Sep., 1975 | Harmjanz | 607/122.
|
4407304 | Oct., 1983 | Lieber et al. | 607/122.
|
5111830 | May., 1992 | Bemurat | 607/122.
|
5356427 | Oct., 1994 | Miyata et al. | 607/122.
|
5480419 | Jan., 1996 | Bemurat | 607/115.
|
5496354 | Mar., 1996 | DeBellis | 607/37.
|
Primary Examiner: Kamm; William E.
Assistant Examiner: Layno; Carl H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ostfeld; David M.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
08/567,929, filed Dec. 6, 1995, now abandoned entitled "A Pacemaker with
Sealable Access Openings and Methods for Its Use", which is incorporated
herein by reference, including the drawings, for all purposes.
Claims
I claim:
1. A pacemaker coupling for use with an internal pacing unit and an
electrode stimulation device comprising:
a flexible cord which includes:
a) at least one spiraled electric internal conductor;
b) a sheath of insulating material surrounding said conductor;
c) a connector at a proximal end of said cord;
d) a first connection means located at said proximal end of said connector
for removably, electrically coupling said conductor to the internal pacing
unit;
e) a second means located at a distal end of said connector for
electrically coupling the conductor to the electrode stimulation device;
f) at least one sealable access orifice in said distal portion of said
connector, said orifice extending to a portion of said conductor;
g) a closing member having means for cooperatively engaging said orifice to
form an hermetic seal;
wherein there is a second conductor and a second orifice extending to a
portion of said second conductor, said second orifice comprises an opening
located on a distal portion of said connector.
2. A pacemaker coupling for use with an internal pacing unit and an
electrode stimulation device for use with an external pacing unit having
at least one external lead comprising:
a flexible cord which includes:
a) at least one spiraled electric internal conductor;
b) a sheath of insulating material surrounding said conductor;
c) a connector at a proximal end of said cord;
d) a first connection means located at said proximal end of said connector
for removably, electrically coupling said conductor to the internal pacing
unit;
e) a second means located at a distal end of said connector for
electrically coupling the conductor to the electrode stimulation device;
f) at least one sealable access orifice in said distal portion of said
connector, said orifice extending to a portion of said conductor;
g) a closing member having means for cooperatively engaging said orifice to
form an hermetic seal;
a third means for fast and efficient attachment of the external lead to
said orifice, said third means having a second flexible cord which
includes:
h) at least one spiralled electric external conductor;
i) a second sheath of insulating material surrounding said external
conductor;
j) a first external lead connection means located at a proximal end of said
external cord for removably, electrically coupling said external conductor
to the external pacing unit, and
k) second means located at a distal end of said external cord for
removably, electrically coupling said external conductor to said internal
conductor through said orifice, whereby the external pacing unit can
stimulate a patient's heart during pacemaker implantation and replacement.
3. An external coupling for use with an external pacing unit, comprising:
a flexible cord which includes
a) at least one spiralled electric first conductor;
b) a sheath of insulating material surrounding said first conductor;
c) first connection means located at a proximal end of said cord for
removably, electrically coupling said first conductor to the external
pacing unit;
an internal pacing lead which includes
d) second conductor, a second sheath of insulating material surrounding
said second conductor, a connector located at the proximal end of said
second conductor, said connector including a portion of said second
sheath, and an sheath portion of said connector, said orifice extending to
a portion of said second conductor; and
e) second connection means, located at a distal end of said cord, for
removably, electrically coupling said first conductor to said second
conductor through said orifice.
4. The external coupling of claim 3, wherein said second connection means
includes an attachment fitting for securing said first conductor in said
orifice of said connector and an electrode connected to said first
conductor and passing through said attachment fitting for establishing
electrical contact between said first conductor and said second conductor
through said portion of said second conductor accessible through said
orifice.
5. A method for the installation of the pacemaker assembly using an
external pacing unit, comprising the steps of:
a) inserting at least one internal pacing lead distal end with a heart
stimulation electrode attached thereto into an incision in a patient's
chest;
b) attaching one external pacing lead to the internal lead through an
access opening in the distal end of the connector of the internal lead so
that the external lead makes electrical contact with an internal lead
conductor of the internal lead allowing the external pacing unit to
stimulate the patient's heart during pacemaker implantation upon
activation of the external pacing unit;
c) inserting the internal lead with the associated external lead further
into the incision and directing the distal end of said internal lead into
the heart so that the heart stimulation electrode associated with the
distal end becomes implanted into a patient's heart through which pacing
stimulation to said heart can be achieved;
d) supplying periodic electrical stimulation through the external pacing
unit to the heart after implantation of the distal internal pacing lead
end electrode;
e) connecting a pacemaker electronic head and associated battery to a
proximal end of the connector of the internal pacing lead;
f) interrupting the externally supplied electrical stimulation to test said
internal pacemaker and battery for proper periodic stimulation of said
heart;
g) testing the internal pacemaker and battery;
h) after successful testing, removing the external pacing lead from the
access opening in the connector;
i) capping the opening with a closing member to form an hermetic seal so
that the internal lead conductor is electrically insulated from the
patient's bodily fluids;
wherein the attaching of the external lead to the internal lead of step (b)
is through an opening located on a proximal portion of the connector; and
wherein there is a second external lead attached to a second internal lead
for step (b), such attaching being through a second opening located on a
distal portion of the connector.
6. A method for replacing a pacemaker assembly using an external pacing
unit, comprising the steps of:
a) accessing one or more closing members of sealed access openings in one
or more proximal end connectors for one or more internal leads having
internal lead conductors through an incision in a patient's chest, where
one or more distal ends with associated heart stimulation electrodes are
implanted in a patient's heart so that the heart can be periodically
stimulated by the pacemaker assembly;
b) removing the closing members from the openings in the internal leads;
c) inserting a distal end of an external pacing lead into the opening in
each internal lead so that the external lead is in electrical contact with
the internal lead conductor;
d) connecting a proximal end of the external pacing leads into the external
pacing unit so that periodic electrical stimulation can be supplied
through the external and internal leads to the patient's heart;
e) turning on the external pacing unit to begin external heart pacing;
f) disconnecting the proximal ends of the internal leads from a pacemaker
electronic head;
g) removing the old pacemaker through the incision;
h) inserting a new pacemaker into the patient through the incision;
i) interrupting the externally supplied electrical stimulation to test the
new internal pacemaker for proper periodic stimulation of the heart;
j) testing the new internal pacemaker;
k) after successful testing, removing the external pacing leads from the
access openings in the connectors; and
l) capping the openings with the closing members to form an hermetic seal
so that the internal lead conductors are electrically insulated from the
patient's bodily fluids.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the accessing of step (a) is to one
opening located on a proximal portion of the connector.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the accessing of step (a) is to a second
opening located on a distal portion of the connector.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the capping of step (l) is such that the
closing members do not come into direct mechanical contact with the
conductors.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates generally to pacemaker stimulation leads for
use in humans and animals. More particularly, the present invention
relates to the connector to the pacemaker having at least one capable
access opening to a surface of the stimulation lead conducting element for
connecting the lead to an external pacing unit for continuous heart
stimulation during pacemaker installation or replacement.
2. Description Of The Art
Pacemakers have become a part of every day life for that segment of the
community whose hearts are unable to maintain normal rate or rhythm.
Pacemakers work by applying electrical stimulation to the heart muscle to
stimulate efficient pumping action. The pacemaker applies periodic
electrical stimulation to regulate and control the patient's heart rate
and rhythm.
Conventional pacemaker installation and replacement requires the insertion
through a femoral vein of a pacing lead attached to an external pacing
power supply to maintain heart beat regularity during the installation and
replacement procedure. The insertion of femoral pacing leads requires the
use of X-ray fluoroscopy to monitor the progress of the lead through the
femoral vein up to and into the heart so that the lead end can make
electrical contact with the heart muscle sensitive to periodic electrical
stimulation.
Most current pacemakers contain stimulation leads where only the head or
proximal end of the lead receives electric stimulation from the pacemaker
because only the connector at the head of the lead is inserted into the
pacemaker and fixed by a pin and set screw. Adapters are available so that
various suppliers of pacemakers can be used, but these are not always
necessary. Thus, the leads used for electrical stimulation of a patient's
heart through a distal end stimulation device implanted in the heart are
only accessible when the leads are disconnected from the pacemaker and the
heart then made accessible for connection of an external pacing unit. The
pacing is ordinarily started or continued by the external pacing unit
through a femoral lead.
During replacement of a pacemaker, the stimulation lead is usually not
replaced. The operation consists of disconnecting the pacemaker-lead
connector which generally involves loosening a screw providing pacemaker
to lead contact through the connector and removing the lead from the
pacemaker. The lead end is then inserted into a new pacemaker and the
pacemaker and lead are reconnected. Again, reconnection of the
pacemaker-lead connection generally involves tightening the screw on the
connector head of the lead. Finally, the lead and pacemaker are implanted
under the skin.
But as soon as pacemaker-lead connection is disrupted during the
replacement process, the patient will no longer be receiving periodic
electrical heart stimulation from the pacemaker. Such a disruption in
pacing stimulation is not serious in patients whose heart is able to keep
spontaneous cardiac rate or rhythm. However, in some patients, called
"dependent" patients, their hearts are not capable of spontaneous cardiac
rate or rhythm. A disruption in electrical stimulation to the heart in
such patients could in some circumstances place those patients in some
difficulty.
It is an object of the present invention to provide patients with pacemaker
stimulation leads that would be amenable to the use of external electrical
stimulation during installation and replacement of pacemaker to obviate
the need for femorally inserted external pacing leads or the need to
disrupt pacing stimulation during pacemaker replacement in a manner to
minimize the potential for stimulation lead damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a pacemaker stimulation lead including a
flexible cord. The flexible cord includes at least one spiralled electric
conductor and a surrounding sheath of insulating material. The cord
further includes a first connection means, located at a proximal end of
the cord, for removably, electrically coupling the conductor to a
pacemaker. The cord also includes a second means, located at a distal end
of the cord for either integrally or removably, electrically coupling the
conductor to an electrode stimulation device implanted in a patient's
heart.
The lead also includes at least one sealable or capable access opening in
the insulating sheath or preferably in the connector allowing access to a
surface of the conductor of the lead between the proximal and distal ends
of the lead and preferably associated with the proximal portion of the
lead. The access opening or openings are used for connecting the lead to
an external pacing unit and placing the external pacing unit in conductive
contact with the conductor and through the conductor with the stimulation
device so that the patient is in continuous stimulation during pacemaker
installation or replacement. The access openings are closed with a closing
member made of a non-conducting material where the opening and the closing
member cooperatively form a hermetic seal when access is not needed and
where the closing member does not come into direct mechanical contact with
the conductor.
Preferably the opening has associated with it a conductive member affixed
into the insulation of the conductor that is in electrical contact with
the flexible lead and operates as the conductive surface for attaching an
external lead upon removal of the closing member which is hermetically
sealing the opening.
The present invention also provides for a specially designed external lead
assembly for fast and efficient attachment of the external leads to at
least one sealable access opening preferably in the body sheath of a
pacemaker connector. The external lead assembly includes a flexible cord.
The flexible cord includes at least one spiralled electric conductor and a
surrounding sheath of insulating material, usually plastic. The cord
further includes a first connection means for removably, electrically
coupling the conductor, which is between the flexible cord and the
pacemaker, to an external pacing unit. The cord also includes a second
means for access for removably, electrically coupling the conductor to an
internal lead conductor through an opening in the sheath surrounding the
internal lead conductor, preferably in the connector, so that the external
pacing unit can stimulate a patient's heart during pacemaker implantation
and replacement.
The present invention also provides for a method for the installation of
pacemaker assemblies of the present invention including the steps of
making an incision in the patient's chest wall. At least one internal
pacing lead, distal end first, is then inserted into the incision. An
external pacing lead associated with an external pacing unit is attached
to a sealable or capable access opening associated with the proximal
portion of the internal pacing lead and preferably with the connector. The
internal lead with attached external lead is then further inserted into
the incision and directed through a vein into the heart so that the distal
end becomes implanted into a stimulation region of the heart, usually, the
right auricle and another into the right ventricle.
The external pacing unit then supplies periodic electrical stimulation to
the heart, usually to the right ventricle, after implantation of the
distal internal pacing lead end. A pacemaker electronic head is then
connected to the proximal end of the internal pacing lead through the
conductor. The external pacing unit is turned off and the internal
pacemaker electronics and its enclosed battery are tested for proper
periodic stimulation of the heart. After testing the internal pacemaker
assembly and insuring proper operation, the external pacing lead(s) are
removed from the capable access opening(s) preferably in the lead
connector and the opening(s) are hermetically sealed using a closing
member(s) where the closing member(s) does not make direct mechanical
contact with the cord, but can make direct contact with an affixed
conductive member. The incision is then sutured.
The present invention also provides for a method for the replacement of the
pacemaker assemblies of the present invention including the steps of
making an incision in the patient's chest wall adjacent to a sealable or
capable access opening in the lead, preferably in the connector,
associated with the proximal portion of the lead, removing the closing
member of the sealed opening and attaching an external pacing lead to the
opening so that the external lead makes electrical contact with the
internal lead. The external pacing lead is associated with an external
pacing unit designed to supply periodic electrical stimulation to the
heart through an implanted distal internal pacing lead preferably through
the connector.
The external pacing unit is then turned on to begin external heart pacing.
A pacemaker electronic head is then disconnected from the proximal end or
ends of the internal connector(s). A new pacemaker is then attached to the
proximal end or ends of the internal connector(s). The new pacemaker is
then tested for heart regulation and stimulation by turning off the
external unit and monitoring the new pacemaker. Once the testing of the
new pacemaker and its battery are complete, the external lead is
disconnected from the opening and the closing member is reattached to the
opening to form a hermetic seal. The incision is then sutured.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present
invention reference should be made to the following Drawings, in which,
like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a flexible cord in accordance with the
invention, in a first embodiment depicting a unipolar lead and with one
capable opening;
FIG. 2 illustrates an axial sectional view of bi-polar leads of the
invention having one capable opening in each lead;
FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged sectional view of one embodiment of an opening
and closing member of a capable opening of the invention;
FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged sectional view of a second embodiment of an
opening and closing member of a capable opening of the invention;
FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged sectional view of a third embodiment of an
opening and closing member of a capable opening of the invention;
FIG. 6 depicts a sectional view of one embodiment of an external lead end
adapted to attach to an opening in the internal leads of the invention;
FIG. 7 depicts a sectional view of another embodiment of an external lead
end adapted to attach to the opening in the internal leads of the
invention and anchor the external lead to the internal lead; and
FIG. 8 depicts a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of bi-polar
leads of the invention having one capable opening in the connector of each
lead.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT
By adding sealable or capable access openings located between the ends of a
pacing lead and preferably associated with the proximal portion of an
internal pacing lead, a superior pacemaker lead, especially if the
openings are in the connector, can be constructed that will obviate the
need for the use of femoral external pacing leads during pacemaker
installation and replacement. The addition of at least one access opening
in the lead will decrease the surgical time for installation and
replacement of pacemakers and reduce the exposure of patients to X-rays
during pacemaker installation and replacement.
Additionally, using an external lead with a specialized end for attaching
the external lead to the internal lead opening also aids in implantation
and replacement of pacemakers. The specialized lead end insures that the
external lead is in electrical contact with a conducting cord of the lead
and that the external lead is held in place during pacemaker implantation
or replacement to avoid pacing stimulation disruption to a patient's
heart.
The lead of the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprise a
flexible cord. As used in this invention, a flexible cord is a flexible
insulated, electrically conductive element connecting a stimulation
electrode device to a pacemaker. The cord can be a single flexible element
or a plurality of flexible elements. The cord can also be a flexible
element connected to any interconnection means such as a so-called adapter
connection having an appropriate head for mating with the sockets of a
pacemaker or stimulation electrode.
The openings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are
situated along the length of the element and preferably on a proximal
portion of the element at the connector. The closing members of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention are associated with the
opening to form a removable, hermetic seal over the opening. By removing
the closing member from the opening, an external conductive element
associated with an external flexible lead can be brought into conductive
contact with the conductive element of the internal cord. The electric
contact provides a pathway for external stimulation of the heart during
pacemaker implantation and replacement without the need for femoral vein
pacing leads.
With such pacemaker lead having access opening along the length of the
conductive element, at the time of implanting or changing the pacemaker,
the closing member can simply be removed, by either unscrewing,
unsnapping, retracting, or other means for removing, from the opening
giving access to the internal conductor of the lead. An external lead end
can then be inserted into the opening to make the necessary electrical
contact with the conductive element in the internal lead. After connecting
the external lead to an auxiliary (external) stimulation unit, the
internal lead may be disconnected from the pacemaker without risk to the
patient.
Once the pacemaker or new pacemaker is positioned and tested, the auxiliary
lead end is disengaged from the opening of the internal lead and the
closing member is re-inserted into the opening to hermetically seal the
opening from the body. Thus, the cardiac stimulation of the patient is
substantially continuous during the whole operation and pacemaker testing.
In addition, the opening may be associated with a thickened portion of the
surrounding insulator or sheath to facilitate efficient removal and
reattachment of the closing member.
In FIG. 1, a pacemaker and lead assembly, generally 10, of one,
non-preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown
schematically, partially, and in cross-section. A pacemaker 12 (partially
shown) has inserted therein a proximal end 14 of a unipolar lead,
generally 16, having a head element 18 associated with the proximal end
14.
The unipolar lead 16 is composed of an electric conductor 20 preferably
wound in a spiral and more particularly where the windings have
substantially jointing turns. The conductor 20 is in turn surrounded by an
insulating sheath 22 made from a flexible electrically insulating and
bio-compatible material such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polybutylene,
polyhexene, and other similar bio-compatible polymers. The combination of
the spiral wound conductor 20 and the flexible insulating material 22
insures that the entire lead 16 is flexible for easy insertion and
positioning within a patient's heart.
Generally, the conductor 20 terminates at the head element 18 partially
enclosed in a male tubular fitting 24 intended to be inserted into a mated
female tubular socket 26 associated with the pacemaker 12 so that the
conductor 20 is brought into electric contact with the internal circuitry
of the pacemaker 12 through the head element 18. The head element 18 and
socket 24 are generally held secure in the pacemaker socket 26 via a screw
28 or by any other similar securing device or means that frictionally
engages the head element 18.
The distal end 30 of lead 16 having conductor 20 is in turn connected to a
unipolar or bipolar electrode stimulation device 31 which is implanted
into the patient's heart to supply pacing stimulation signals generated by
the pacemaker 12 to the heart.
According to the present invention, at a given position along the lead 16,
at least one opening 32 is provided in the sheath 22, preferably in the
less flexible sheath 220 of connector 230 (FIG. 8), making the internal
conductor 20 accessible for external connection. Preferably, the opening
32 is located in a proximal portion of the lead 16 where "proximal
portion" means that the opening is located between the proximal end 14 and
a mid point of the length of the lead 16. The opening 32 has associated
with it a closing member 34 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1) which inserts
into the opening 32 to form a hermetic seal to fully isolate an accessible
portion 36 of the conductor 20, made accessible by the opening 32 in the
sheath 22, 220, surrounding the conductor 20 from body fluids which could
possibly cause a short circuit. Preferably, the opening 32 is associated
with a thickened region 23 of the sheath 22, 220 to facilitate removal and
reattachment of the closing member 34 to the opening 32.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the opening 32 in the sheath 22,
220 comprises an essentially circular opening. However, the opening can be
of any other convenient shape such as oval, square, rectangular, and the
like. Additionally, the opening can be tapered, e.g., the opening in the
surface of the sheath 22, 220 can be larger or smaller than the opening
that provides electrically conductive access to the internal lead
conductor 20.
The opening 32 is generally of a size sufficient to permit an external lead
end 102 associated with an external lead 100, non-limiting examples of
which are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and described subsequently, to be
inserted therein and make electrical contact with the accessible portion
36 of the conductor 20. The size of the opening will generally be several
millimeters (between about 2 to about 10 mm) in diameter or in its widest
dimension if the opening is non-circular. The opening can be smaller or
larger and is limited only by ease of manufacturing and use in practice.
In the case of a bi-polar lead construction, at least one opening would be
associated with each conductive element in the bi-polar lead as shown in
FIG. 2 or FIG. 8 where the numbering is consistent with the number in FIG.
1, as applicable, except that there are two leads, two conductive
elements, two openings, and two closing members.
Optionally, the leads of the present invention can also include a
conductive plate or electrode 38 at a bottom 40 of the opening 32. The
electrode 38 can be either secured in the opening 32 by conventional means
such as pressing or the like provided it is in electrical contact with the
accessible portion 36 of the conductor 20 or can be affixed to the
accessible portion 36 of the conductor 20 by conventional means such as
welding, soldering, or the like, prior to sheath construction. The
electrode or plate 38 serves to protect the accessible portion 36 of the
conductor 20 from possible damage during the external lead connection
process and to provide a larger, and more well defined, surface for
achieving electrical contact between an external lead end 102 and the
conductor 20. Of course, the plate or electrode 38 should be constructed
in such as way as not to adversely affect the overall flexibility of the
lead 16 needed for the internal passage of the lead 16 into the heart or
repositioning the lead 16.
When the opening 32 does not have an associated conductive plate or
electrode 38, it is preferred that the closing member 34 be sized so that
when it is secured in the opening 32 there is a gap between the bottom of
the closing member 34 and the accessible portion 36 of the conductive
element 20. That is, in the absence of a conductive electrode 38, the
closing member 34 should be constructed so as not to make direct
mechanical contact with the accessible portion 36 of the conductive
element 20 of the internal lead 16. Such a gap is represented by the area
designated by numeral 39 where the plate 38 would otherwise be, as is
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
In the leads of the present invention, it is preferably, that the external
lead 100 have associated with it a specialized distal end 102, as
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and described below, that is matable with the
opening 32 and affixes the external lead 100 to the internal lead 16 so
that external stimulation can be supplied to the patient's heart even
after disconnection of the internal lead 16 from the pacemaker 12.
In the normal state of assembly 10, the internal lead 16 is connected to
the pacemaker 12 and the opening 32 is sealed with the closing member 34
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 where the "normal" position of the closing
member 34 inserted into opening 32 has been shown in phantom with broken
lines at 34'.
The role of closing member 34, which can be made, for example, from the
same material as sheath 22, 220 or any other bio-compatible material, is
to electrically insulate and isolate the accessible portion 36 of the
conductor 20 from the medium surrounding the lead 16. The closing member
34 must sealingly engage the opening 32 because the pacemaker and the
proximal portion of the flexible cord are disposed under the skin of the
patient and are likely to be in contact with a conducting medium. This
contact could cause short circuit between the spiralled conductor 20 and
the pacemaker 12, which should be avoided, except through screw 28.
The closing member 34 should be relatively easy to insert in and affix to
the opening 32; therefore, in order to have sealing as perfect as
possible, the opening 32 will have associated with it a means for affixing
or anchoring the closing member 34 in the opening 32 to make the sheath
22, 220 a contiguous and continuous insulator for the conductor 20. Those
same means for affixing or anchoring the closing member 34 inside the
opening 32 apply equally well for anchoring the external lead 100 in the
opening 32 so that the external lead conductor 104 makes electrical
contact with the accessible portion 36 of the conductor 20 when the
external lead end 102 is inserted into the opened opening 32 as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7.
The means for anchoring, which while indicated for sheath 22 in the
drawings is equally applicable to conductor sheath 220, can be any means
for anchoring a conductor in an opening that are known in the art. Several
illustrative embodiments of the anchoring means are shown in FIGS. 3-5.
Referring to FIG. 3, the anchoring means comprises threads 50 (shown
generally as "32'" in FIGS. 1 and 2) in the portion of the sheath
associated with the opening 52 (shown generally as "32" in FIGS. 1 and 2)
and mating threads 54 (shown generally as "34'" in FIGS. 1 and 2)
associated with the closing member 56 (shown generally as "34" in FIGS. 1
and 2) to allow the closing member 56 to be threaded into the opening 52.
Additionally and preferably, the closing member 56 of FIG. 3 has a removal
slot or indentation 58 in a top 60 of the closing member 56. The removal
slot or indentation 58 can be a standard type screw driver slot as shown
in the figure, a Phillips type screwdriver indentation, a polygonal
indentation or any other similar slot or indentation that will allow the
closing member 56 to be quickly and easily unscrewed from the opening 52.
Referring to FIG. 4, another opening 62 (shown generally as "32" in FIGS. 1
and 2) and closing member 64 (shown generally as "34" in FIGS. 1 and 2)
configuration is shown which comprises a raised flange 66 (shown generally
as "34'" in FIGS. 1 and 2) associated with the closing member 64 where the
flange 66 is located sufficiently removed from a top 68 and a bottom 70 of
the closing member 64 so that the flange 66 will secure the closing member
64 in the opening 62 by securably engaging a receiving annular indentation
72 (shown generally as "32'" in FIGS. 1 and 2) in sheath 22, 220 defining
the opening 62. The reverse configuration is also equally acceptable,
i.e., where the flange 66 is associated with the sheath 22, 220 and the
annular indentation 72 is associated with the closing member 64.
Referring now to FIG. 5, yet another opening 74 (shown generally as "32" in
FIGS. 1 and 2) and closing member 76 (shown generally as "34" in FIGS. 1
and 2) configuration is shown where the closing member 76 includes a top
portion 78 having associated therewith a lip 80 (shown generally as "34'"
in FIGS. 1 and 2) for securing the closing member 76 to the sheath opening
74 through the presence of a annular locking indentation 82 (shown
generally as "32'" in FIGS. 1 and 2) encircling the opening 74. The lip 80
of the closing member 76 is designed to be snapped into indentation 82
formed in the sheath 22, 220 to hold the closing member 76 and form a
hermetic seal with the sheath 22, 220.
For ease of use and expediency in external lead attachment, the present
invention also contemplates external leads with specially designed ends to
facilitate external lead attachment and anchoring to the openings in the
internal lead of the invention. Referring to FIG. 6, a external lead,
generally 100, with one such specialized distal end 102, is shown. The
external lead 100 includes a conductor 104, preferably spiralled,
surrounded by a flexible sheath 106 where the conductor and sheath are
similar or identical to the conductor and sheath described for the
internal leads 16 above. The specialized distal end 102 of the external
lead 100 comprises a perpendicularly disposed head member 108 which is
designed to engage the opening 32 in the internal lead 16 in accordance
with the type of opening 32 utilized in the lead 16.
Three possible opening designs were described in association with FIGS.
3-5. For the purpose of FIG. 6, the head member 108 includes a threaded
rotatable sleeve 110 for securingly engaging the threaded opening 52 of
FIG. 3. The head member 108 further includes a conductive head element 112
surrounded by a sheath 114 (which can be integral with the sheath 22, 220
or hermetically attached to the sheath 22, 220) having a sleeve retaining
flange 116 associated therewith where the sheath 114 is interposed between
the sleeve 110 and the head element 112 and where the head element 112 is
designed to either conductively engage the accessible portion 36 of the
conductor 20 of the lead 16 or the plate 38 which can be optionally
associated with opening 32 and the accessible portion 36 of the conductor
20. Of course, the head member 108 will vary in construction depending on
the type of closing member 34 used in the construction of the leads 16 of
the present invention. However, the end 102 will include a means for
attaching the external lead 100 to the opening 32 of the internal lead 16
and a conductive head element inserted through the attaching means
designed to make electrical contact with the conductive element 20 in the
internal leads 16 of the invention.
Moreover, the external leads of the present invention can also include one
or more securing elements 120 for securing the external lead 100 to the
internal lead 16 after the external lead end 102 has been mated with the
opening 32 in the internal lead 16. Such securing elements 120 can be
plastic clips that are designed to hold the leads 16, 100 in close
parallel proximity as shown in FIG. 6 or the end 102 of the external lead
100 can be of a clippable design, generally 122, as shown in FIG. 7.
The clippable end 122 of FIG. 7 includes an opening engagement assembly 124
mounted on a distal end 128 of a first arm 126 of the end 122. The
assembly 124 includes an attaching member 130 and a conductive head
element 132 passing therethrough and where a distal end 134 of the head
element 132 is designed to electrically engage the accessible portion 36
of the conductive element 20. The attachment member 130 of FIG. 7 is
equivalent in structure to the closing member 64 of FIG. 4 and where the
member 130 has a flange 136 designed to engage an indentation 138 in the
sheath 22, 220. The clippable end 122 further includes a second arm 140
which engages the opposite side of the sheath 22, 220 from the opening 32.
The second arm 140 can include a knob or raised portion 141 designed to
fit into a indentation 142 in the sheath 22, 220 opposite the opening 32.
This embodiment of the external lead end 102 can also include securing
clips 120 as described above. Additionally, the external leads 100 of the
present invention are designed to electrically engage an external pacing
unit 144 at a proximal end 146 of the external leads 100 in any manner
well known to in the art.
For the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, by avoiding the flexible
sheath 22 and using the sheath 220 of the less flexible connector 230 for
access to conductive element 20, one minimizes the probability of damage
to the conductive element 20 during flexing of conductive element 20 for
insertion into opening 32. Second, by using connector 230, there is
immediate access, without needing to locate the opening 32 which may
otherwise be concealed by an overgrowth of body tissue which might require
dissection. Also, locating opening 32 in connector 230 lowers the
likelihood of the cover 34 sliding during the normal movements of the
patient while he or she is using the pacemaker. Also, there is less
potential of the cover 34 to be stuck in place for free access. In
addition, there is a lesser likelihood that the conductive element 20
would be fractured while working with a connection to an external
generator 144 or preparing to attach an external generator 144. In
addition, by placing access openings 32 in connectors 230, the position of
the openings 32 could identify the positive and negative conductive
elements 20 through their positioning, such as opening 34 to the positive
could be placed proximally, and opening 34 to the negative could be placed
posteriorly (see FIG. 8). Finally, where two conductive elements 20 are
used, the two conductors are ultimately separated by insulation, but are
wound in spiral fashion around each other, as shown in FIG. 2. By using
the connector 230 of the preferred embodiment, the conductive elements 20
are already separated making access easier and thus further avoiding
damage to the flexible part of the conductive element 20.
The present invention also discloses a method for the installation or
implantation of pacemakers in a patient taking advantage of the use of an
external pacing unit to supply pacing stimulation directly through the
lead being implanted. The method generally includes the steps of making an
incision in the patient's chest wall. A sealing member 34 is removed from
a sheath 22, 220 surrounding a conductive element 20 of an internal pacing
lead 16 to reveal an opening 32 to a portion 36 of a conductive element 20
in the internal lead 16. The conductive element 20 of the lead 16 is
insulated from body fluids by a surrounding bio-compatible sheath 22. The
opening 32 is defined in the sheath 22, 220 and provides access to the
internal lead conductor 20 at the portion 36 so that an external pacing
lead 100 can be attached to the internal lead 16 making electrical contact
with the internal conductor 20 at the portion 36. Optionally, the external
lead 100 can be clipped to the internal lead 16 with an appropriate
clipping devices 120 to ensure that the external lead 100 remains attached
to the internal lead 16 during insertion. With the external lead 100
attached, an external pacing unit 144 can supply pacing stimulation to the
internal lead 16 so that heart stimulation can be immediately supplied to
the patient's heart during implantation.
Once the external lead 100 is attached to the internal lead 16 and placed
in electrical contact with its internal lead conductor 20 at the portion
36, a distal end 30 of at least one internal pacing lead 16 of the present
invention having a heart stimulation electrode device 31 attached thereto
is then inserted into the incision. The internal lead 16 with attached
external lead 100 is then further inserted into the incision and the
distal end 30 of the internal lead 16 directed into the heart through a
vein so that the heart stimulation electrode device 31 becomes implanted
into a region of the heart amenable to external stimulation.
The external pacing unit 144 supplies periodic electrical stimulation to
the heart after implantation of the distal internal pacing lead end 30 and
associated stimulation device 31. The pacemaker electronic head 12 with
its enclosed battery is then connected to a proximal end 14 of the
internal pacing lead 16. The external pacing unit 144 is turned off and
the internal pacemaker electronics and battery are tested for proper
periodic stimulation of the heart. After testing the internal pacemaker 12
and insuring proper operation, the external pacing lead or leads 100 (one
lead in the case of a unipolar pacemaker or two leads in the case of a
bi-polar pacemaker) are removed from the capable access opening(s) 32 in
the lead insulation 22, 220 of the internal lead 16, and the opening(s) 32
are hermetically sealed using one closing member 34 for each opening 32.
The incision is then sutured.
The present invention also provides for a method for the replacement of
pacemakers. An incision is made in a patient's chest wall adjacent to a
sealable or capable access opening 32 in a lead sheath 22, 220 of an
internal pacing lead 16 where the opening 32 is preferably associated with
a proximal portion of the lead 16 and where the sheath 22 surrounds a
conductive element 20 of the internal lead 16.
Once the incision is made, a closing member 34 associated with the sealed
opening 32 is removed. With the closing member 34 removed, an end 102 of
an external pacing lead or leads 100 are inserted into the opening 32 so
that the external pacing lead or leads 100 make electrical contact with an
accessible portion 36 of the conductor 20 of the internal lead 16. The
external pacing lead 100 is electrically associated with an external
pacing unit 144 designed to supply periodic electrical stimulation to the
heart through internal lead 16 to the implanted distal internal pacing
lead end 30 with its associated stimulation device 31.
The external pacing unit 144 is then turned on to begin external heart
pacing. A pacemaker 12 with its enclosed battery is then disconnected from
the proximal end 14 of the internal lead 16. (In the case of a bi-polar
pacemakers, two external leads are disconnected.) A new pacemaker 12 is
then attached to the proximal end or ends 14 of the internal lead(s) 16.
The new pacemaker 12 is then tested for heart regulation and stimulation
by turning off the external unit 144 and monitoring the new pacemaker's
operation.
Once the testing of the new pacemaker 12 is complete, the external lead 100
is disconnected from the opening 32 and the closing member 34 is
reattached to the opening 32 to form a hermetic seal. The incision is then
sutured.
Finally, the invention is obviously not limited to the embodiments shown
and described above but covers on the contrary all variants thereof,
particularly in so far as the means are concerned giving access to the
spiralled conductor and the mobile means combined with said access means
for providing access at will to said conductor or on the contrary total
electric and sealed insulation thereof with respect to the environment in
which the lead is plunged.
All of the features of a particular preferred embodiment of the pacemaker
lead are not shown in the above disclosure in order to emphasize the
generality of the disclosure.
Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope
of the invention concept taught herein which may involve many
modifications in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the
descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the
details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting
sense.
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